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Mná 100 - a new online resource for the Decade of Centenaries launched today
Mna100.ie includes original research with some previously unseen photos and historic documents drawn together in new and innovative ways
Today (13th May 2021), Mná 100 – a new online women’s initiative, for the final phase of the Decade of Centenaries was launched by Catherine Martin T.D., Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
www.mna100.ie continues the work in highlighting the role of women in the revolutionary period, which began with the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme. The successful pop-up museum exhibition, 100 Years of Women in Politics and Public Life which ran from September 2018 to December 2020 also built on this work. This new initiative being launched today will focus on the role that women played in the forthcoming centenaries as we look to events leading up to the Truce of July 1921, Partition, and Civil War.
Through a new dedicated website, new collaborations and partnerships will be developed to reflect on key themes, such as the role of women in advocating for Ireland internationally; the role of women’s organisations during the Campaign for Independence and the Civil War; women in the Oireachtas; and the stories of the pioneering women who were trailblazers within their chosen professions.
The stories of these women will be brought to life for new audiences of all ages using a diverse range of media, including film, podcasts, exhibitions, webinars, public talks, and photo essays – all grounded in primary source material. The Mná 100 initiative will work with the National Cultural Institutions, institutes of learning, local authority partners, creatives and artists, relatives and other contributors to bring new material into the public domain to ensure that the role of women during these formative years will be remembered appropriately.
The new website goes live today with the first piece of major new research on the Report of the American Commission on the Conditions in Ireland, through a new curated video piece showcasing original research and previously unseen photos and documents. The Department welcomed the collaboration with NYU, one of the leading centres for Irish American studies and in particular for their work on the Irish Diaspora and look forward to reaching new audiences for commemoration. Toward America documents American women who used their acumen and influence to assist the Irish campaign for independence and the humanitarian aid distributed by the Irish White Cross to those adversely affected as the result of conflict in Ireland – in particular women and children.
Minister Martin said:
"I am really pleased to launch Mná 100 today. One of my priorities for the final phase of the Decade of Centenaries is to ensure that the contribution of women in our history, particularly during the Irish revolutionary period, is appropriately documented and illuminated.
This new online platform gives us a dedicated place to provide a range of content on the role of women in the seminal moments of our journey towards self-determination and sovereignty. Some of these women are familiar figures, while the voices of others have never before been heard or have long since been forgotten. I am delighted that all of these women are taking their rightful place in our history.
The international dimension too is particularly engaging and, indeed, very enlightening. One of the highlights of Mná 100 is ‘Toward America’ – a specially curated short film, which tells the story of the women who came together to bring international attention to the ongoing conflict in Ireland a century ago, and its devastating impact - particularly the plight of Irish children. Drawing on original research and images generously provided from collections in Ireland and the United States, this new film illuminates the work of the American Committee on Conditions in Ireland, The Irish Committee for Relief in Ireland, and the formation of the Irish White Cross.
It’s very fitting that Mná 100 will be launched simultaneously here at home and with our friends in Glucksman Ireland House, the Centre for Irish and Irish-American Studies, in New York.
This is just one of many collaborative initiatives, grounded in archival collections and primary source material, which will bring a renewed focus on women’s participation in political, military, professional, and domestic roles. We will acknowledge too the loss and violence suffered by women during this period.
100 years later, we reflect on all that has been achieved and the work which still remains to bring equality to all aspects of women’s lives."
Heather Humphreys T.D., Minister of Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands, attending the event on behalf of Minister Martin said:
"I am delighted to be part of the launch of this exciting new initiative – the work that was started in 2016 is continuing apace and I am delighted to see the role of women being highlighted in new and innovative ways. For too long, women’s voices and influence during the revolutionary period were unrecognised. Yet, these women were agents of change in their own right and paved the way for generations of women to follow – all driven by ideals of equality, justice, fairness, and public service. This new resource presents a wonderful opportunity to document and highlight their many diverse contributions. I look forward to the ongoing development of this initiative”
* Minister Humphreys attended the launched on behalf of Minister Martin who could not attend this evening’s event.
Forthcoming events:
Note for Editors:
Highlights of www.mna100.ie :
Biographies of some of the women featured in Toward America
1. Jane Addams 1860-1935
In 1920 Jane Addams had an international reputation as a pioneering social worker in America when she became the leading female member Commission for Conditions in Ireland, one of five Commissioners on the hearings held in Washington DC and one of two women on the executive of the Committee for Relief in Ireland. That year she was the President of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, which had been set up at her instigation in 1915. In 1920, she had just established the American Civil Liberties Union.
Born Laura Jane Addams in 1860 in Illinois into a prosperous family, her father was a State Senator. At 21 she graduated of Rockford Female Seminary (later renamed Rockford College for Women) top of her class. She had poor health and it prevented her from completing her medical degree. Between hospitalisations and travel (which included a tour of Europe), in London she came upon a settlement house, and she returned with the mission of establishing one in Chicago.
Jane Addams wrote and lectured on the work advocating for improvement of society. She worked for the poor of Chicago, including Irish immigrants. She was undaunted in taking on any task even becoming an official garbage inspector.
In the field of education, she served on the Chicago Board of Education and she established the Chicago School for Civics and Philanthropy, and became the first woman president for the National Conference of Charities and Corrections and a founder member of the National Child Labour Committee which ultimately brought about Child Labour Law. She was also a member of the National American Women’s Suffrage Association and one of the founders of the National Association of the Advancement of Coloured People.
2. Muriel MacSwiney (Muriel Murphy) 1892-1982
Muriel Murphy was born into a wealthy brewing family in 1892 in Montenotte, Cork. She was educated for a short time in her late teens in England, but by her own admission did not have a formal education. She was tutored in art and music and took part in a drama group where she met Terence MacSwiney. She became politicised and moved in nationalist circles.
She joined Cumann na mBan in 1915 run by Mary MacSwiney, and much to her family’s disapproval, at the age of 25, she married Terence MacSwiney, 12 years her senior. They married in Herefordshire as Terence had been interned after the 1916 Rising. Their daughter Máire was born in 1918. At the time Terence was in prison in Belfast for his political activism.
In 1920 Terence became Lord Mayor of Cork, part of an alternative administration that opposed British rule in Ireland. He was arrested and went on hunger strike. He died after 74 days. In November, Muriel travelled to the US to give testimony at the American Commission hearings in Washington D.C. Muriel opposed the terms of the Anglo-Irish Treaty 1921 and as hostilities commenced Muriel was active in the fighting in Dublin. She was arrested for a short time.
In 1922 she was smuggled out of Ireland by the anti-treaty side and she went on a fund-raising rally in the US. She was arrested and she spent a short period of time in prison.
In the years following the Civil War Muriel left Ireland. She moved first to Germany and had a daughter Alix in 1926 with French Communist Pierre Kaan. In the 1930s she was in a custody battle with her sister–in-law Mary who was joint guardian of her daughter Máire. Máire who opted to stay in Ireland with her aunt, was estranged from her mother for the rest of their lives. Kaan, who was part of the French resistance, was sent to a concentration camp and died from his treatment in May 1945.
Muriel lived between England and France for the rest of her life and remained active in many causes. She died in 1982 in Maidstone, England, she was 90 years old.
3. Elisabeth Marbery, 1856-1933
Elisabeth Marbury known as Bessie, was a pioneering American Theatrical and Literary Agent who shaped the modern industry. She had represented Irish writers including Oscar Wilde and George Bernard Shaw.
Born into a wealthy New York family, she claimed a long lineage, including to one of the female founders of Rhode Island. She was encouraged to develop her natural business acumen and early in her career she became the agent of the author Frances Hodgson Burnett.
Travelling between the US and her home in France, Elisabeth represented a number of French authors and was decorated by the French Government for her work. Her long-term companion was interior designer Eloise de Wolfe, they lived in a house near Versailles and in their New York City home they hosted Sunday salons, frequented by those in the arts and in politics. In 1918, Bessie became active in New York politics and in 1920 she was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. Elisabeth was sixty-five when she joined in the National Council of the American Commission for Conditions in Ireland.
4. Nannie O’Rahilly (Nancy Brown) 1878-1961
Born in Philadelphia, her father was a wealthy mill owner. Miss Nancy Brown was living on 5th Avenue in New York when she met Michael O’Rahilly on a visit to Ireland when she was sixteen. She intended finishing school in Paris and the couple married when she was 21.
During their first years of marriage they lived in Philadelphia, New York, Paris, Brighton and Dublin. During this time, they had four sons, one of whom died as an infant. By 1909 they had settled permanently in Ireland, where a fifth son was born.
Michael, now known as The O’Rahilly, became active in Irish nationalism, joining the Gaelic League, training and arming the Volunteers. His wife Nannie became an Irish speaker. She was a founding member of Cumann na mBan. The O’Rahilly was killed in the 1916 Rising. Their sixth son was born after his father’s death. Nannie was central to the White Cross Organisation, and when this was wound up she was on the committee to oversee this. She was the treasurer of the Children’s Relief Committee until 1946. She died in 1961 and was buried with her husband in Glasnevin cemetery.
5. Maureen O’Carroll 1913-1984
Julia Mary McHugh, always known as Maureen, was born 29 March 1913 in Wellington Street, Dublin and grew up on Manor Street. Her father, often known by his name in Irish, Micéal MacAodha, was active in the Gaelic League and national politics. Her father was in Michael Collin’s inner circle and the family home was frequently raided by Crown Forces. He died on 14 June 1924 when Maureen was 11.
Her education was paid for first by the Irish White Cross funds at the Jesus and Mary Convent, Gortnor Abbey in County Mayo. When the White Cross was wound up, her mother Lizzie was determined that her children would be educated and waged a number of campaigns to achieve this.
After school Maureen decided to join order of nuns and ‘entered’ on the 15th August 1929. She was aged 16. Her Reception ceremony was the following summer on 5th July 1930, and she received the name Mother St Francis Regis. She made her 1st Profession on the 25th August 1932. She entered UCG (Arts) in the autumn of 1932 but decided she did not have a vocation and left NUIG and dispensed from her Vows. She returned to Dublin and in July 1936 she married her neighbour Gerard O’Carroll of 88 Manor Street. Maureen and Gerard's first home was in Stoneybatter.
In 1947 when Maureen entered public life as an activist through the Labour movement, she was thirty-four years old with four small children, Maureen, Martha, Patricia and Gerard. Her first actions were to give information to people on local authority home assistance grants. She was nicknamed ‘little Mo’ in the Dublin Opinion when she became a founder member of the Lower Price Council in 1947. The Lower Prices Council had been formed by the Dublin Trades Union Council as prices had almost doubled during the War. The Lower Price Council succeeded in mobilising huge numbers of people outside the framework of formal political activity as recognised by the political parties. The Lower Prices Council of Action, which became known as the ‘Women’s Parliament’ was seen as a threat by the local government minister, so their activities were monitored by the guards.
Maureen continued to serve as secretary and spokeswoman of the Lower Price Council until 1954 when she was selected by the Labour Party to run in the Dublin North Central constituency in 1954 to boost the party’s overall vote. If she was elected, she said it would be because she was 'the housewife’s choice.' She surprised everybody by being elected, without reaching the quota. She said herself that she was hoping to save her deposit but never thought for a moment that she would win a seat. The Headlines read: 'Mother of 8 will make the Dáil sit up and take notice.'
While she was a TD, she was pregnant with her tenth child. Brendan was born 17 September 1955. She was Labour Chief Whip between 1954 and 1957. She was a member of the Administrative Council of the Labour Party and a member of the Irish Women Worker's Union. Maureen was one of Labour’s 29 Labour candidates in 1957 but failed to get elected. She was nominated for the Cultural and Education Panel but did not attain a seat in the Seanad.
During her time in the Dáil Maureen was instrumental in having the Ban-Gardaí formed. She campaigned to have the word ‘bastard’ eliminated from birth certificates of children born to unmarried parents.
In 1957 she ‘adopted’ Phil, then aged 13, from the Industrial School at Artane. She took on the battle to keep Phil. The Christian brothers who ran the school were opposed to Maureen keeping him. She approached the Taoiseach Éamon de Valera, who spoke to the Minister of Education, and Phil did not go back to the school but lived with the O'Carroll family.
Her husband died in September 1965, when the youngest of her children Brendan was ten years old.
Maureen worked for Dublin City Council on behalf of homeless children and continued as a campaigner for economic and social change. She remained active in politics until 1970. She died on the 9th of May 1984 and was buried on 12 May 1984 with full state honours in Deansgrange Cemetery. Ban-Gardaí formed a guard of honour at her funeral. O’Carroll’s Villas Dublin 2 is named after her.